Endless queues
Unchallenged meditation stimulant
To compare with snail
Quite an inaccurate descriptor

More akin to moving tar
Tar on an intravenous bag
Flow doing the line
Gaze drifts about

Focusing nowhere in particular
Moving eyeballs for the sake
Of giving them an activity
Blurs enter and leave

Smells of ground up varieties
Local and exotic
Freshly sealed for convenience
Dressed to the nines

To entice you to bring them home
An empty wallet
Before the barista
Gets the chance to greet

One blur stands out
The irrelevant ones
Remain anonymous
The one who caught my eye
Increases in resolution by the second

Blur has better defined pixels
Congregating into familiar
Facial expressions

Two orders made
One for my enjoyment
And the icebreaker

None timid
The peace offering made its way
To inexplicably supple hands

"It's been a long time."

A more contrasting painting, impossible
Cold, angry and indifferent figure
Of haunting pasts
Replaced by fatherly kindness
Was my perception that acting brush
Restoring this picture?

A smile of recognition
Absent of surprise
"It has. I have been waiting for you."

"May I join you?"

"You are always welcome at my table."

A hundred and sixty-eight months
Separate our first meeting
And the ongoing

Then,
I was a live model
Of some of the worst traits
My imperfect nature had to offer
A jackhammer next to me
To plow deeper than rock bottom

The five year sentence
Lasted an eternity
Yet faster than speed of light
Nine years freed
Fourteen years total

"The praise appeases me."
The old judge smiled
"But I urge you to not discount
The import of your agency."

A nod and expectant gaze

"My sentencing is a blot on your record
One I can expunge, by the way,
Child, you changed your own life
I was only the catalyst

I discern
You have yet to gain a comprehensive
Understanding of how blessed
Your soul truly is

At your lowest
Most disgraceful test
Blessings surrounded you
In defiant promises

Lesser beings would've
Succumbed to the cards dealt
On this rigged casino
We gamble in
You made an exemplary display
Of shrewdness and iniciative

The growth is apparent
Supple and healthy glow
Hopeful glints to decorate
Your Gothic irises

Beautiful, youthful smile
Expression lines
Caused by despair and torment
Masterfully erased

Your enemies placed their bets
Counting your demise a done deal
Young lady
You've left them bankrupt."

Wise and practiced hands
Scribbled down on a ripped
Piece of paper stylized
By edges jagged

"When in need of advice, guidance
Or perhaps pleasant conversation
That is my direct line
My son often answers the call
He is also an exceptional motivator."

Offering gracefully accepted

"I have power to absolve
Or eternally condemn
But you have agency
Do not be dissuaded by scammers
You completed your sentence
No double jeopardy

Stay clean; obey the law
Reject the pressure
Of villains prodding you
Into breaking the legal system
You have that power
You have that control
You aren't a helpless puppet or slave
To circumstances"

After a vigorous reassurance
A parting message
"You don't look as frightening and callous anymore"

Judge laughed heartily
"I am the reflection
Of your perception."


© Elsbeth Mareile G.C.